Alarm system for respirator apparatus and method of use

Abstract

The alarm system of the present invention includes a pressurized air source for the purpose of pressurizing a face mask which surrounds the mouthpiece of respirator apparatus. An alarm indicating device is installed in the air line between the pressurized air source and the face mask. If the face mask is leaking air to outside the space enclosed by it, the alarm will indicate a continuous flow. If there is leakage from the space enclosed by the face mask into the mouthpiece, the alarm will indicate intermittent leakage since the placement of air will flow only during inhalation. The wearer of the apparatus may thus be confident that either no leakage is occurring or that there is leakage and that appropriate corrective measures should be taken.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Respirator apparatus for a person, comprising: a filter for purifying ambient air;   means for directing purified air for inhalation by said person and for directing expired air from said person;   first means for communicating the purified air from said filter to said directing means, said first communicating means including first valve means for passing said purified air and preventing passage of said expired air;   an outlet;   second means for communicating the expired air from said directing means to said outlet, said second communicating means including second valve means for passing said expired air and preventing passage of incoming contamined air;   a face mask for fitting against the face of said person and surrounding said directing means with respect to the face of said person, said face mask including means for sealing to said first and second communication means which extend through said face mask to said directing means;   a pressurized air source; and   third means for communicating the pressurized air from said source to said face mask, said third communicating means including alarm means for alerting said person that there is flow of pressurized air;   whereby on being alerted said person may conclude there is leakage of pressurized air from said face mask.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said directing means includes a mouthpiece and said first and second communication means include a common portion leading to said mouthpiece, said face mask fitting about said common portion; said sealing means sealing said face mask about said common portion. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including means for plugging the nose of said person. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said directing means includes a mouthpiece and said face mask includes a partition for separating space enclosed by said face mask into a first region which surrounds said person's mouth and a second region which surrounds said person's nose. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said directing means includes a half mask which fits within said face mask, said half mask for fitting over the mouth of said person. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said alarm means includes means for making a sound which can be heard by said person. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said alarm means includes means for making a visual readout which can be read by a person. 
     
     
       8. Respirator apparatus for a person, comprising: a filter for purifying air;   a mouthpiece;   first means for communicating purified air from said filter to said mouthpiece, said first communicating means including first valve means for passing said purified air and preventing passage of expired air;   an outlet;   second means for communicating said expired air from said mouthpiece to said outlet, said second communicating means including second valve means for passing said expired air and preventing passage of said purified air;   a face mask for fitting against the face of said person and surrounding said mouthpiece with respect to the face of said person, said first and second communcating means passing through said face mask;   a pressurized air source; and   third means for communicating pressurized air from said air source to said face mask, said third communicating means including alarm means for alerting said person that there is leakage of pressurized air from said face mask, said alarm means including means for providing a constant signal for leakage from space enclosed by said face mask to outside space, and an intermittent signal for pressurized air inspired by said person.   
     
     
       9. A method for a person for using respirator apparatus, said respirator apparatus including a filter for purifying air, means for directing purified air for inhalation by said person and for directing expired air from said person, and first means for communicating purified air from said filter to said directing means, said apparatus further including an outlet and second means for communicating expired air from said directing means to said outlet, said apparatus also including a face mask for fitting against the face of said person and surrounding said directing means with respect to the face of said person, a pressurized air source, and third means for communicating pressurized air from said source to said face mask, said third communicating means including alarm means for alerting said person that there is flow of pressurized air, said method comprising the steps of: putting said apparatus on said person so that said person may breathe in through said filter, first communicvating means and directing means and out through said directing means, second communicating means and outlet;   turning on said air source so that pressurized air flows through said third communicating means to pressurize said face mask;   sensing for a signal from said alarm means to determine whether there is flow of pressurized air thereby signaling leakage; and   stopping said leakage so that said signal from said alarm means stops.   
     
     
       10. The method of claim 8 wherein said sensing step includes discerning between a constant signal which signals leakage from space enclosed by said face mask to space outside of said face mask from an intermittent signal which signals inhalation of pressurized air, and wherein said leakage stopping step includes one of adjusting said face mask for a better fit to the face of said person to stop a constant signal and adjusting said mouthpiece with respect to his jaw for making a better seal against the lips of said person to stop inhalation of air enclosed by said face mask.